Mattress clamp



June '23, 1925.

B. L. JONES MATTRESS CLAMP Filed Sept. 1923 INVENTOR Barre/l Jonas Patented June 23, 1925.

PATENToF m BURRELL L. JONES, or OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

MATTRESS CLAMP.

Application filed, September 29, 1923. Serial No. 665,556.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, BURRELL L. J ONES, a citizen of the United States, residing .at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Mattress Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to mattress clamps and more particularly to the type employed in folding beds. 1 v

The subject matter of this application is a continuation of my copending, patent application Serial No- 607,813,- filed December 19, 1922, titled WVall bed, and is here presented in an improved form.

Present clamps of this nature and with which I am familiar, do not hold the mattress, when it is raised to the vertical position, in the fixed position at which it was clamped when the bed was horizontal. The slipping down of the mattress when raised is annoying, and necessitates more or less remaking of the bed when lowered. Also, it is of common occurrence to have the mattress slip down far enough when raising the bed, so as to become wedged in the workings of the opposite end of the bed, in such a manner that the careless or unaccustomed user of the bed will continue the applied pressure until something breaks, unaware of the power of the long leverage he is using.

My objects aim to eliminate the above deficiencies, and to this end my invention includes the provision of simple, inexpensive means for clamping the mattress in a positive, non-slipping grip and against the nonyielding member of the bedspring, thereby encountering a solid resistance which insures an effective hold in old as well as new mattresses.

Another important object is that the clamping or pressure bar of the device shall be pivotally attached, so that it will assume its repose position, thus preventing undue wear on the bedclothes and mattress.

Another object is that the clamp may be removed from sight when not in service, and permit the unobstructed freedom of the feet while occupying the bed.

.Vith the above and other objects in View, the means by which I secure the efliciency of my invention will be fully set forth in the description and drawings of that embodiment of my invention which I have selected for illustration, and which isthe best as yet devised by me. 7

Figure 1 of the drawings is apartial side elevation of a bedstead and mattress having my invention applied thereto in binding relation.

Fig. 2 is;an elevation-of Fig. 1 from the mattress side, themattress being-eliminated to show more clearly the parts behind it.

Fig. 3 is a plan of Fig. 1, the mattress not being shown. 7

Fig. 1 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the mattress clamp swung in and under the mattress. v

[Adverting tothe drawing and figures thereof: The numeral 1 indicates the bedspring rail, 15 the footrailof thepbedstead,

'2 the wire-wovensprings and 3 the end member of the spring. The latter member is an angle-iron bar and affords a nonyielding element against bending, and I have desi 'ned my device to oo-act therewith.

4 is a special casting and by preference is secured to the end member 3 as by rivets 5.

This casting is of bracket construction and supports the end frame of the bed in any well-known manner. 6 is an integral upright of the casting, adapted to pivotally support an arm 7 of my clamp as at 8.

To the other extremity of the arm 7 is pivotally supported a cross or pressure-bar 9 by the clevis connection 10. The bar is preferably made of wood such as ash because of its resilient properties.

The arm 7 hasa portion of its upper surface provided with teeth 11, forming ratchet means to engage a pivoted pawl 12 secured to the upright 6 near its top. The arm is so designed, that when the clamp is raised to its limiting position as lightly shown at 13, it will remain in that position because of the greater weight on the opposite side of the center line through the pivot-axis at 8, permitting the said bar to assume its repose position at all times. I In use, the pressurebar 9 is pressed-on the mattress 14 to a depth considered sufficient for binding it rigidly to the angle-iron member 3, the pawl 12 slipping over the teeth 11 by gravity until the final position of bar 9 is determined. On releasing the bar the compressive reaction causes the teeth and pawl to firmly engage each other.

To release the mattress clamp from binding engagement. the bar is pressed into the mattress a little further, and the opposite extremity of the pawl is tapped by the finger causing the said pawl to become disengaged from its tooth.

When the bed is in the horizontal position, the clamp may be tucked away and out of sight by raising the mattress and swinging it under the same as shown to advantage in Fig. 4. Also, by this feature no part of the arm will project from the outside plane of the foot-frame of the bed, which otherwise one might bump into.

Having thus illustrated and described my invention in its preferred form, I wish it understood that the same may be modified as practice suggests. Therefore, the patent protection that I desire, is all of that which comes within the spirit and scope of the in vention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A mattress clamp comprising a pair of spaced arms pivotally supported at one end thereof to the footrail of a bedstead, and a pressure-bar pivotally supported at the other extremity of said arms, the first-named pivot permitting the said bar to assume its respose position at all times.

2. A mattress clamp comprising. a pair of spaced arms pivotally supported to an end of a bedstead and carrying therebetween a pressure-bar forming thereby a swinging cross-unit, and a pawl pivotally supported to said bedstead end, the said arms having teeth thereon and the said pawl adapted to engage the said teeth for clamping the mattress to the bed. 7

3. 'A mattress clamp of the character described consisting of a pair of toothed overhanging arms pivotally attachable to the footrail of a bed and joined by-a pressure bar, and said clamp provided with ratchet means also pivotally attachable to the footrail of the bed and adapted to engage the topithed arms for holding the mattress to the be 4. A mattress clamp of the character described comprising a pair of arms and a pair of pawls securable to the footrail of a bed, and a pressure-bar connecting the two arms, a portion of the top edge of the arms provided with teeth to engage the paWls and the remaining portion arched to clear the mattress when the clamp is in engagement therewith.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BURRELL L. JONES. 

